The Poomacha fire was moving north and east today, threatening nearly 500 homes and keeping firefighters on the attack.
The Poomacha blaze, which started Oct. 23 on the La Jolla Indian Reservation, has blackened 49,150 acres and destroyed 136 homes and 19 outbuildings, according to Cal Fire. Firefighters now have the blaze about 50 percent contained, which means they've cut a line of clear brush around half the fire.
Twenty firefighters have been injured battling the blaze, and evacuations were still in order for residents in the northernmost areas of San Diego County such as Rincon and Palomar, fire officials said. And the Poomacha Fire has joined with the Witch Fire, which is still burning to the south. There are 2,599 firefighters now assigned to the blaze, according to Cal Fire, which estimates the cost of fighting the Poomacha fire at $6.8 million.
Cal Fire officials say they expect full containment by Wednesday, which
is Halloween.
Calm winds and favorable weather conditions helped firefighters battling the Poomacha blaze yesterday. Firefighters are trying to prevent the fire from reaching Temecula and the Pechanga Indian Reservation, fire officials said.
